Category: 3 Stars
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Criterion: Shallow Grave (***) isn't deep enough
“From an historical perspective, perhaps one can understand this being a Criterion release. I know some of this is dependent on what they can get the rights to overall. As a film, this one is kind of forgettable, if technically proficient. It’s a good first attempt. ”
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Where'd You Go, Bernadette?(***) doesn't go that far
They lost me at “How does one afford a trip to Antarctica?”
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The Hunt (***) – Two deplorables walk into a mine…
The Hunt is the type of film that sets itself up as a clash of ideologies. Deep down, it’s just an excuse to go through a bunch of silly characters until the final two alphas fight over toasted cheese.
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Twins (***) for a time when average comedy had a place
As for Reitman, this movie is right in the middle of the road, for his work. It’s not nearly as good as Dave, Stripes, Ghostbusters or Kindergarten Cop, but it’s not nearly the shitscape of Junior, Six Days, Seven Nights or Evolution. There is fun here, and a little bit of talent. There’s a whole…
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Orphan (***) the only thing unexpected is the brutality
We get the absolute creeps from Esther’s relentless mowing through one character after the other, innocent or not, knowing what it is she ultimately has in mind. Still, there is not enough here for more than a mild recommendation.
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Winchester (***) takes a grain of truth…
It’s a training wheels ghost story. The house may deserve better, but we will need to suffice with Dame on a vacation.
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Netflix Circle (***) is sped up sociology
We deal with many societal aspects: racism, sexism, orientation, ageism. Points are made in a rush, because they only have a minute to vote. Then boom. Gone. On to the next angle of persuasion.
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Last Christmas (***) pulls a few heart strings…
“Overall, the Last Christmas is a nice story that is better than most romantic films one might see on the Hallmark channel this time of year. I would not see it again, but it wasn’t wasted time. ”
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The King (***1/2) at least it’s not Shakespeare
Edgerton’s Sir John Falstaff is the biggest selling point of The King. It’s almost as though he made the film just so he could play so plum a role.
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Motherless Brooklyn (***) is simple and reverent
“Overall it’s a good, not great effort. The film is enjoyable if predictable. Norton’s ability to show a clean, multi-layered view of the politics that went into creating the city he loves so dearly is entertaining.”
Ebert Did It Better: Gasbag Reviews 